The best puppy playpens come in handy to ensure that your four-legged buddy is safe, and engaged. Raising a puppy is not a very easy task. Puppies make messes often. They may also damage your furniture or belongings. In worst cases, they may hurt themselves or even get lost.
It is impossible to keep an eye on your puppy every second of the day. A puppy playpen refers to a structure that offers a space that is safe for your puppy to play, move and eat inside or outside your home. To maximize the benefits of having a playpen, you need to have the right one.
Advantages of The Best Puppy Playpens
- Prevent Damage>Having a puppy playpen means that your puppy is kept in an enclosed space which ultimately prevents damage to your house and possessions caused by chewing
- Safety>Keeping a puppy in a playpen means that it is safe when traveling on the road or when in an unfamiliar location
- Give You Peace of Mind>This is because you know exactly where your furry friend is and what he is playing with.
- Portable>Most puppy pens are usually portable and easy to store and transport.
- Easy to Set Up>Puppy playpens are easy to assemble as require no tools. Your playpen will be set up in a matter of seconds.
- Facilitate Easy Training>It is not easy to train pets, especially in the initial stages. Putting your puppy in a playpen reduces the amount of space that they will be running about meaning that you have better control of your training sessions
7 Best Puppy Playpens to Keep Your Pup Safe
Since the market is flooded with puppy playpens, choosing the best fit for fur babies can be a daunting task, especially for first-time buyers. To make it easier for you to choose the appropriate playpen, have a look at the best puppy playpens:
#1) New World Foldable Dog Playpen
The New World Foldable Playpen is undoubtedly one of the best puppy playpens in the market. The playpen is liked by many pet parents because it hosts numerous positive attributes. Firstly, the pen is affordable and within the reach of many pet owners. It is also created for puppies of any breed or size making it one of the most sought-after puppy playpen.
When it comes to assembly, the pen snaps together without any tools. Space is not a problem as the playpen offers a flexible 16 square feet of space for your pup as it has 8 connected panels. Your puppy will have enough space to stay active and stimulated.
Another great suit of this playpen is versatility. Being portable and lightweight, the playpen is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Like caging a pet, leaving your puppy inside the playpen should be fun. For that reason, this playpen is compatible with multiple exercise pen accessories that enable you to create a customized environment for your fur babies.
Nonetheless, it is made of a metal wire that is very durable and has a black E-coat finish for long-lasting protection against rust and other elements when used outdoors. The unit comes with 4 ground stakes, 4 secure locking thumb snaps and can be used with a metal dog crate to expand the living area of your dog. It has wall heights between 24” to 48”.
Features
- Snaps together easily with no tools needed
- Ideal for puppies of all breeds and sizes
- Resistant to rust and corrosion
- Folds flat when not in use
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Affordably priced
- Sizes are flexible; combine 2 or more playpens to form a larger play area
#2) Iris 6-Panel Exercise Playpen with Door
Are you the pet parent who likes pet accessories designed with a sense of elegance? This is the right playpen for you. The Iris Exercise Playpen, as one of the best puppy playpens, is stylish and is made to blend with the décor of your home.
The playpen features six panels that snap together easily and a space that is fully customizable through the purchase of additional walls that are sold separately.
The playpen is portable and provides ample space for your puppy to play. Its locks are built-in on the door and twist to open so that your pet enters with ease. This indoor pet pen features a molded plastic construction that is durable so it will serve your pooch from puppyhood through adulthood.
Besides, it can be positioned in various shapes to best suit your space capacity and the needs of your puppy. The panels also have a non-skid rubber foot to protect your flooring. The playpen is available in white and black colors so you get to choose the color you prefer the most.
Features
- Made of molded plastic that is durable
- The door has a double locking mechanism for extra safety
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
- Dog door makes access easy
- Panels snap together easily without tools
- Ideal for small-sized to medium-sized puppies
- Add on panels can be bought to create a custom large playpen
#3) MyPet Petyard Passage 8-Panel Dog Pen
This is one of the top-rated plastic playpens. It is made with flexibility in mind as each panel is pre-assembled and snapped together quickly to create a fully customizable play area. It has an exclusive swinging door and it is completely safe and portable.
The 9.5” x 8” swinging door gives your puppy the freedom to come and go as he pleases. The panels are weather-resistant and easy to clean with water and mild soap. It also comes with pads that are skid-resistant that prevent panels from scratching and slipping on any surface.
The playpen is nevertheless easy to set up as its eight interlocking walls come already connected. Therefore, you just have to pull them out of the box and unfold them carefully to form a play yard. The panels are lightweight hence easy to fold so that you can vary the playpen anywhere.
It also includes a carry strap to make transport easy. This dog playpen tops the stands out among other best puppy playpens because it can be adjusted to accommodate various life stages. This versatility translates to value for money as it will serve your pet from puppyhood to adulthood.
Features
- Made from superior materials hence lasts long
- Safe and portable
- Easy to set up
- Has skid-resistant pads hence doesn’t slip or scratch surfaces
- Convenient locking door
- Encloses up to 34 square feet of play space
- Panels snap together easily
- Ideal for small and medium puppies
- Flexible
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
#4) Precision Pet Products Soft-Sided Dog Playpen
Simplicity meets functionality. This dog playpen features a unique design that redefines how your puppy spends time indoors and outdoors. The dog playpen is spacious and so your pet roams freely while inside the playpen.
The playpen is fitted with 8 panels that feature a mesh design for optimum visibility and free flow of air for maximum comfort. When used outdoors, the ground stakes firmly secure the playpen.
The best puppy playpens shouldn’t compromise the security of your pet. For that reason, this playpen features a steel frame making it sturdy, with reinforced corners and heavy-duty zippers that provide maximum security. The playpen is fitted with side pockets where you can store your pup’s treats and accessories including their favorite toys.
Another notable feature of this soft playpen is that it withstands wear and tear. It is durable as it is made of superior materials. It includes nested panels, covered seams, a top and bottom that is removable for easy cleaning, and reinforced corners for sturdiness. It is easy to assemble since no tools are needed.
Features
- Portable hence folds down easily for travel or storage
- Removable top and bottom panels for washing or accident clean-ups
- Side pockets provide ample storage
- Made of breathable mesh and polyester that is resistant to water
- Includes ground stakes for use on lawns
- Reinforced corners and seams
- Quick to assemble as no tools are required
#5) Frisco Playpen with Step-Through Door
Frisco Playpen has a step-through door that provides a play area that is safe and secure for your beloved puppy. Versatility is another key feature of this puppy playpen and it can be used both indoors and outdoors.
It is made to last as it built using a metal wire that is sturdy and coated in black e-coating that is durable. The doorway is easy to access and securely latches closed with double locks and a clip for additional safety.
Floor designs vary from one building to another. As a result, this puppy playpen features different configurations. The eight hinged panels can be configured in various ways, from square, rectangle and even octagon shapes.
When the panels are set up to form an octagon, the plastic corner stabilizers must be affixed for stability. It also includes metal anchors that keep the pen in place when used outdoors. It also folds flat making it convenient to transport and store.
Features
- Easy access doorway
- Made with a sturdy metal wire that is coated with electro-coat finish making it durable
- Ideal for puppies and adult dogs as well
- Folds flat making transport and storage convenient
- Can combine 2 or more playpens into a larger play or living area
- Step-through door
- Wall heights between 24” to 48”
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
- Door locks for safety
#6) Ruff ‘n Ruffus Portable Dog Playpen
This is a playpen that is lightweight yet strong and is ideal to use indoors and outdoors as well. It has a zippered top that is removable and provides extra protection for your puppy while playing outdoors.
The zippered door allows easy entry and exit of the pet. What more? The playpen comes with a zippered carrying bag that can store your playpen when not in use. You can also stuff your pet’s toys and accessories in the bag. Transportation is effortless courtesy of the carrying handles attached to the playpen.
Additionally, the travel bowl is collapsible and is constructed with high-grade silicone that can be cleaned easily. The playpen also has a safe and superior design with a roomy 8-panel design with reinforced corners and protected seams. There is no fuss when it comes to assembly as the playpen pops up in seconds without any pre-assembly.
Features
- Made from materials that are durable and water-resistant
- Folds flat making it easy to store
- A spacious interior provides ample space to play
- Reinforced with an attached floor mat for your puppy’s safety
- Requires no assembly
- Portable and lightweight making it suitable for traveling, camping and easy mobility
- Carrying convenient case
- Removable zippered top
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
#7) Midwest Wire Dog Playpen with Step-Thru Door
This Midwest playpen has a step-through door that has two secure slide-bolt latches that make the entrance of your pet easy and convenient. It is simple and quick to assemble as you just have to unfold the panels and clip them together with the clips. It can be configured in a round or square shape in seconds.
Nonetheless, the playpen folds flat making storage convenient. It has ground stakes that secure it to the ground when used outdoors. It also includes corner stabilizers that add rigidity and ensure that the pen’s configuration is maintained.
Features
- Folds flat making it convenient to store
- The E-coat finish provides long-lasting protection
- 8 to 24” wide panels that come in 5 different heights
- Double latch door makes access easy
- Simple to set up as it requires no tools
- Can be used both indoors and outdoors
- Ground stakes secure it to the ground when used outdoors
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Best Puppy Playpens Buying Guide & FAQs
Factors to Consider When Selecting the Best Puppy Playpens
Durability
Everyone wants a decent return on your investment with regard to the right puppy pen. The playpen that you choose should be sturdy enough not to collapse if the dog leans on both sides.
Most heavy-duty playpens are made of steel or iron wiring that is resistant to rust and water. Soft fabric playpens are made of nylon as it has similar durable qualities.
Ease of Storage
Most puppy playpens fold flat. If you plan on using the pen only at certain times, you will want it to be simple to put away when it is not needed. It is worth noting that some playpens are heavy and cumbersome and can take up a lot of valuable space if left standing when you do not need them. Therefore, a foldable mechanism that is easy to store is useful.
Ease of Assembly
The purpose of the pen determines the ease of assembly. If you plan to set it up and have it fixed somewhere permanently, ease of assembly is no very important. It has to be of course easy to assemble in all circumstances, but if it is a job that requires no tools, it is not a big deal if you plan to only do it once. So, a no-tool assembly is therefore essential to your ease of use.
Shape and Size
The shape of your playpen depends on the room space for play. It also depends on your preference. Some models have flexible panels that allow you to create your shape that best suits the room you are using.
It is also important to measure the height of your buddy so that you do not purchase a playpen that your puppy could escape easily. It is important to decide where the playpen will be located before deciding to buy one to know the best shape and size to go for.
Versatility
A versatile playpen allows you to use it indoors and outdoors as well. The best puppy playpens should grow with your pups. So, keep in mind that the puppy will grow when purchasing a playpen. This means that it will need a lot of space as it grows.
Cost
Puppy playpens come at various sizes and prices. Some are top of the range and have a heavy price tag while others are more affordable. Decide beforehand, the amount of money that you are willing to spend on a playpen for your puppy and get one that suits your budget.
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Types of Puppy Playpens
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Indoor Puppy Playpens
These playpens are best used indoors and are mostly lightweight and portable. They are easily set up and dismantled as well with some models requiring tools at all. However, most are relatively small.
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Outdoor Puppy Playpens
These are used outdoors and need to weatherproof and extremely strong and durable. The majority of them are made of wire mesh often coated with weatherproof materials. They are usually larger hence create a large room for your puppy to play.
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Wooden Puppy Playpens
Wooden playpens are usually classy and sturdy and are best used indoors. They add a certain level of elegance to the décor of your home. On the downside, they may not be particularly receptive to canine chewing. Therefore, they are best reserved for puppies that are more on the passive side.
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Plastic Puppy Playpens
Such playpens come in different colors and designs and are lightweight and durable. They are suitable for use both indoors and outdoors. If you choose plastic, ensure that you get a model that doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like phthalates.
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Steel or Wire Puppy Playpens
This is the best option if you need something that will stand the test of time. Ensure that you get a product with outstanding weatherproof because if the metal is exposed to elements it can lead to rust. This type of playpen can be used indoors and outdoors as well. If used indoors, you will want something with padded feet as steel can scratch floor surfaces.
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What to Put Inside the Pen?
- Crate
Placing the puppy’s crate inside the playpen is imperative if you plan to crate-train your four-legged friend. Ensure that you block access to the top of the cate so that the puppy doesn’t climb out.
- Rubber or Vinyl Flooring Panels
This is particularly important if you have wood or laminate floors. Rubber panels protect your floor surfaces and make cleaning up easier in case your puppy has an accident.
- Toys
Toys will keep your furry friend entertained while in the playpen. Provide various types so that your puppy chooses the one he likes best.
- Water
It should only be set down for a short time when the puppy is thirsty. This is because too much of it can lead to accidents as puppies tend to pee after drinking water.
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Best Puppy Playpens FAQs
Q: How Long a Puppy Should Be Left in a Playpen?
A: A puppy should be left in a playpen for not more than two hours. If he stays there for more than two hours, he will get bored and begin to whine. He may also pick up some unwanted habits like chasing his tail.
Q: Are Puppy Playpens a Good Idea?
A: They certainly are. A puppy playpen gives you peace of mind as you know where your puppy is and what he is playing with and has lots of space to play safely. A puppy playpen also helps your four-legged friend to feel more secure even when in unfamiliar surroundings and gives him an area he can call his own proudly.
Q: What Should I Do if My Puppy Cries in His Playpen?
A: Shake a can of coins and say ‘quiet’. He will stop crying as the noise produced by the coins will startle him. Make sure that you are out of sight when you make the noise so that the puppy thinks that his crying is what is triggering the noise. When he stops crying, praise her and reward him with a treat to reinforce the good behavior.
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Conclusion
Every puppy owner knows the messiness that puppies can leave in their path. Having a playpen is essential as it remedies this. It also gives you peace of mind as you are aware of the whereabouts of your furry friend and what he is playing with.